SUDANS WAR
A Counterrevolutionary War
December 2018
Start of Nationwide Protests in Sudan
A rapid deterioration of the economic situation triggers spontaneous demonstrations across the country.
The protests target Omar al‑Bashir’s nearly three‑decade military rule, which had been upheld by the SAF and the RSF.
Women play a decisive role in the mobilization:
they organize, lead, and give the movement a clearly visible feminist character.
Security forces attempt to suppress the growing protests through violence and intimidation.
Despite these efforts, the resistance continues to expand and develops into a nationwide mass movement.
6 April 2019
Start of the Sit‑in at the Military Headquarters
On 6 April, the anniversary of the 1985 popular uprising, tens of thousands of protesters march to the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in Khartoum.
They establish a continuous sit‑in that quickly becomes the central site of the revolution.
Security forces initially attempt to disperse the crowd with violence, but parts of the army intervene to protect the demonstrators.
In the following days, the sit‑in grows even larger and significantly increases pressure on the regime.
11 April 2019
Power Shift by SAF and RSF
After months of sustained protests, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) withdraw their support from Omar al‑Bashir and remove him from power.
A military transitional council is formed, led by General Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan.
Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemedti”) and the RSF secure significant influence in parallel, though they initially operate more in the background.
The RSF evolved from the Janjaweed militias, which committed genocide in Darfur in 2003.
3 June 2019
The Khartoum Massacre
Security forces, led by the RSF and supported by elements of the army, violently clear a large protest camp in Khartoum.
During the dispersal of the sit‑in, an estimated 128 people are killed. At least 70 individuals report rapes, and around 40 bodies of those killed are later found in the Nile. Many more people are injured or forcibly disappeared.
The event marks a turning point, triggering nationwide civil disobedience and mass strikes.
June–July 2019
Civil Disobedience and Nationwide Strikes
In response to the massacre, broad segments of the population launch extensive campaigns of civil disobedience.
Professional associations, trade unions, and local resistance committees call for nationwide strikes that bring public life to a near standstill at times.
Despite ongoing repression, security forces fail to break the momentum of the mobilization.
The protest movement gains international attention and increases pressure on the military leadership to enter negotiations.
17 July 2019
Preliminary Agreement Between Military and Civilian Representatives
After intense negotiations, representatives of the protest movement and the military leadership reach a preliminary political agreement.
The deal outlines the framework for a transitional arrangement in which military and civilian actors are meant to share power.
The RSF and the SAF, however, retain key positions within the security apparatus, fueling skepticism and mistrust among the population.
4 August 2019
Formation of a Joint Civilian–Military Transitional Government
The Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) sign the Constitutional Declaration. This document establishes the framework for Sudan’s transitional government, including:
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a Sovereign Council composed of military and civilian members
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a civilian Prime Minister
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a Cabinet of Ministers
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a 36‑month transition period
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commitments to reforms, peace negotiations, and a new constitution
The agreement marks the formal start of the transition from military rule to civilian governance — though power remains delicately balanced.
21 August 2019
Formation of the Sovereign Council
On 21 August, the Sovereign Council is officially sworn in. It replaces the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and consists of:
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5 military members
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5 civilian members
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1 consensus member
The chairmanship is designed to rotate: 21 months under a military leader (al‑Burhan), followed by 18 months under a civilian.
This marks the formal start of the transitional period.
22 August 2019
Abdalla Hamdok becomes civilian Prime Minister
The Sovereign Council appoints economist Abdalla Hamdok as Prime Minister, marking a key step toward civilian-led governance.
September 2019
Formation of the Civilian
Transitional Cabinet
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok appoints a cabinet of civilian experts, including women in key ministries. This step makes the transitional government fully operational.
2019–2020
Power Struggle in the Background + International Positioning
As the civilian government attempts to build state institutions, both SAF and RSF secure external backing:
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The RSF uses its involvement in foreign conflicts to gain international allies.
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The army (SAF) relies on traditional state‑to‑state partnerships.
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Both sides prepare for a potential long‑term power struggle.
25 October 2021
Military coup
The civilian government is removed by SAF and RSF, and leading members are detained.
The internal power struggle between both apparatuses intensifies.
Both apparatuses actively seek international support to strengthen their positions.
2022–early 2023
Failed transition process
SAF and RSF join negotiations while expanding
their forces. Both prepare to dominate any future political arrangement. Tensions rise as parallel command structures harden.
15 April 2023
Outbreak of war
Armed clashes erupt between SAF and RSF in Khartoum and other cities.
Both apparatuses attempt to seize key state institutions and military sites.
The conflict escalates into a nationwide war.
SUDAN IN NUMBERS
25,000,000
People Are Starving In Sudan
400,000
Is The Realistic Death Toll For Sudan
(article is coming soon in my bio)
15,000,000
People Were Displaced In Total